Prating is synonymous with lips, so the lips of a fool will be overthrown/fail/fall. All the excuse you make for not obeying given you will not stand up in God’s court. You will be personally responsible for your own words and actions (2 Corinthians 5:10).

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36–37)

“But a prating fool shall fall” can also be rendered, “but a talking fool shall be beaten.”

Based upon this verse are you wise in heart (attitude) or are you like the proud, talking stubborn fool? The wise in heart accept commandments and obey them (as long at they do not go against a known command of God), while the fool proudly makes excuses for not obeying the commandments. What will be the consequences of your choices you make today?

May 10, Thursday, 2012

Proverbs 10:29 “The way of the LORD is strength to the upright (people of integrity): but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity (having your own way versus God’s way).”

Are you determined to do what you want to do or what God wants you to do? God’s way is strength, your way is destruction. Today how will your life as a Christian evidence that God’s way is strength?

June 10, 2012

“The lips of the righteous feed many: But fools die for want of wisdom.” (Proverbs 10:21)

The Hebrew word for feed is used 72 times in the OT and it is used most of the time in regards to feeding livestock and then as a role for leadership to feed their people.

My mind goes back to Jesus Christ when I think of righteous lips feeding many. The apostle John called Jesus Christ “the righteous.” So it is very fitting that this Proverb be used of Him. It is said of the Lord that “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with his arm, And carry them in his bosom, And shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11)What does the Lord feed his children with? It appears from Jeremiah 3:15 that it is knowledge and understanding, because this is what the pastors who are after God’s heart feed their people. Knowledge and understanding are essentials to wisdom, which the Proverbs says fools do not have or as the ESV puts it they “die for lack of sense.”

As a believer today in Christ Jesus you are made righteous in Him. How then are you feeding many. Have you studied your Bible and paid attention to your Pastor’s preaching, so you can give others better understanding of the Word of God? Are you daily exhorting your brothers and sisters in Christ to love and good works? (Hebrews 10:24-25) These are some ways that you can feed those God places in your life.

As believers let us be seeking to feed those around us today with God’s Word.

The New American Commentary states that “Verse 2a implies in context that God will be the enemy of the family if the son tries to enrich it by crime or corruption.” Righteousness though in this context delivers from death. Also, we understand today that if we have Christ’s righteousness through faith in His name we will be delivered from the power of death. (1 Cor. 15:58)

How are you righteously living according to the Heavenly Father’s instruction on how to live life. David said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” Ps. 119:11 Have you renounced all deceitful practices to try to get yourself a little bit of extra money at work, etc.?

August 10, Friday, 2012

Proverbs 10:3 “The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but He casteth away the substance of the wicked.”

So God will not allow the soul (heart, mind, body) of those who do right to suffer hunger (needing food, such as in a siege), but he thrusts down the wickedness of the wicked.

Today, how are you experiencing the peace of God in your life, as you seek to do what God wants you to do? He will not allow you to be famished either physically or mentally, He will provide you with what you need both physically and spiritually.

Are you a person who starts up fights were the other guy is always trying to out do the other in your fighting? Or do you demonstrate love, and willingly look over the faults of others instead of bringing everybody’s mistakes to light to make yourself look good?

I am so thankful that Christ did not just cover up my sins. He cleansed me from my sin with his own blood, and anybody’s sin who will come to him by faith. (Romans 5:1)

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9:12)

Today how are you being like Christ in your love for others?

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Colossians 3:13)

October 10, 2012

“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, And he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22)

Unlike the pleasures of sin such as laziness, working your own way (iniquity), fornication, unforgiveness, hatred, etc. which may seem to bring prosperity and happiness to one for a short time, God’s blessings never have any negative side affects. While the “blessings” or pleasures of sin are fun for a season they afterwards yield the fruit of death. “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23

Praise God that he does not give us such deceitful gifts. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Today how are you avoiding the short-term candy coated poisons of the pleasures of sin as Moses did for the pure blessings of the Lord which come through obedience to the Lord? From the passage it is obvious that the blessing of the Lord does not mean that you will never have difficulties.

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” (Hebrews 11:24–25)

November 10, Saturday, 2012

Proverbs 10:11 “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.”

This verse speaks strongly about both the righteous person’s words and actions and the wicked person’s words and actions. The righteous man’s walk talks louder than his talk and is in line with his talk. Therefore, a righteous man’s talk is a powerful testimony of God’s life in his life.

The wicked man’s walk also talks louder than his talk, but it disannuls anything he says. The wicked’s man’s walk stifles anything he says because of his violence (cruelty, injustice, false, unrighteous, wrong, oppression); he will have no excuse for his sinful deeds. He cannot be trusted.

On the other hand, the mouth of the righteous is a well of life. What the righteous says is good, trustworthy, and truthful. A righteous person seeks to obey God, and his passion for God carries over into what he speaks.

Psalms 37:30-31 says, “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his A@841993

shall slide.”

What do you talk about? Is what you talk about spoken from a Biblical worldview? Does your walk match your talk?

December 10, Monday, 2012

Proverbs 10:17 “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.”

Reproof (H8433) – rebuke, correction, an argument. The primary thrust of the Hebrew word is of correcting something that is wrong. While similar to the Hebrew Word for instruction, the Hebrew word for instruction can mean instruction given through word or through the rod of correction.

Erreth (H8582) – go astray, be out of the way, vacillate, stagger

Today how will you guard and take hold of the valuable correction you receive from parents, the Lord, or other authorities in your life? Do you have a submissive spirit or a rebellious spirit? Are you consistent in heeding the instruction you are given or do you disregard it? When God shows you something in your life that is wrong through His Word, does His Word fall by the way side ground of a hardened heart or on the fertile soil of a heart yielded to God (Matthew 13:3-23)? When instruction is heeded, it will result in life.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

January 10, 2013

“He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.” (Proverbs 10:9)

When I think of this verse two biblical examples come to my mind. One is positive and the other is negative. The Positive one is the Rechabites. (Jeremiah 35) The Rechabites were faithful to keep their father Jonadab’s commandment to not drink wine. They were even commanded to do it in the Lord’s house, but they would not. It is also important to note that wine also referred to fermented and unfermented beverages, so what they may have been offered might have been grape juice. Because of their uprightness to do the right thing even when commanded by a religious authority to do otherwise, God promised that his house would continue forever. (Jeremiah 35:19) How did Jonadab’s son’s now to not drink the wine? There father Jonadab told them not to drink it and because they were committed to obeying their father they were sure, they had no doubts, that when they were asked to drink the wine they said no and explained why.

The two negative examples are 1) Achan and 2) Annanias and Sapphira. In both of these examples each person involved thought they were going to get away with there perverse sin. Sin they did on purpose. Achan stole a wedge of gold, 200 shekels of silver, and a goodly Bablylonish garment and hid them in his tent of the battle spoils of Jerich which were dedicated wholly to the Lord. What happened? God was not with Israel when they went to battle Ai and Israel fled from their enemies. It caused them to seek the Lord and it was shown Joshua that there was sin in the camp. It resulted in the public stoning of He and his family for committing and hiding this sin. (Joshua 6)

The question is do you purposefully walk uprightly in the Lord’s ways as the Rechabites did in the commandment of their father? When others entice you to do wrong do you give in and think you can get away with it? Do not be deceived you will never be able to keep your disobedience to an authority secret. “… behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)

I challenge you today to be prepared for the temptations you will face. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) Don’t get weary in doing the right thing either for there is a crown of life to those that endure the temptation and you will reap good fruit if you are committed to doing right.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12)

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

I pray that walking faithfully and uprightly in the fear of God will be a lifestyle in each of our lives.

God bless!

February 10, Sunday, 2013

Proverbs 10:5 “He that gathereth in harvest is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”

From Proverbs we know three things about a son that causes shame:

a. Sleeps in harvest when he should be reaping the harvest (Proverbs 10:5)

b. A wise servant will rule over a son that causes shame (Proverbs 17:2)

c. He wastes (oppresses, devastates, spoils) his father and chases away his mother (Proverbs 19:26)

In other words, a son that causes shame is lazy, wasteful, irresponsible, disrespectful to his parents, not teachable, and a grief and shame to his parents.

Let us be vigilant to be children that bring joy to our parents in how we treat them which then will be a reflection of the honor we have our heavenly Father as His children who have received Him through faith (John 1:12). Are you wise and bringing joy to your parents by how you wisely conduct yourself (Proverbs 23:24)? If you still live at home, are you faithful in fulfilling your responsibilities your parents have given you?

A great application of this verse is in regards to soul winning and our responsibility as individuals and churches to reach the world for Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus said in Luke 10:2 “…The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”

Based on Luke 10:2 and Proverbs 10:5 are you bringing your Heavenly Father to shame, or being a wise son by praying and reaping the harvest.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

List three ways you can be a laborer in the harvest of souls this week. Are you grateful for the amazing love of our Father evidenced by your love and obedience to Him?

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3

Praise the Lord for His unchanging love towards us that even when we were sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

March 10, Sunday, 2013

Proverbs 10:18 “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander is a fool.”

Slander (H1681) – defaming, evil report, infamy, calumny (Slander; false accusation of a crime or offense, knowingly or maliciously made or reported, to the injury of another; false representation of facts reproachful to another, made by design, and with knowledge of its falsehood – Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)

Fool (H3684) – stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one, silly, foolish. This type of fool lacks the ability to deal with life successfully, he hates knowledge, and gets angry quickly (Proverbs 1:22, Ecclesiastes 7:9). Figuratively, he lives life in darkness while the wise person sees (Ecclesiastes 2:14). He does mischief (lewd jokes, wickedness) for fun, is headstrong, is a grief to his parents, follows his own heart, is not teachable, returns to his folly, trusts his own heart, and speaks his mind (Proverbs 10:23, 14:16, 17:21, 18:2, 23:9, 26:11, 28:26, 29:11). These are a few other characteristics of the fool other than found in Proverbs 10:18 of hiding hatred by lying and slandering others.

Just because we are Christians does not guarantee that we cannot act foolishly. The Apostle Paul recognized this truth and commanded the Ephesian believers to walk circumspectly (with great care) not as fools but as wise (Ephesians 5:15). Joseph’s brothers are a prime example of hiding their hatred for their brother through lying to their father, Jacob, after they sold Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37).

Today let us look for ways that we can build up people reputations rather than tear them down like the fool. Are you careful to speak truthfully of other people or do you make assumptions that may not be true? If you have slandered another’s character, have you confessed it as sin and made it right with God and the person you offended?

Ephesians 5:14-17 “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

April 10, 2013

“The memory of the just is blessed: But the name of the wicked shall rot.” (Proverbs 10:7)

Just – lawful, righteous (Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and the Hebrew Bible)

Blessed – properity, liberal, pool present (Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and the Hebrew Bible)

Name – the idea of definite and conspicuous position; as a mark or memorial of individuality; by impl. honor, authority, character:renown, report. (Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and the Hebrew Bible)

(Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and the Hebrew Bible)

Rot – to decay (Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and the Hebrew Bible)

The just are those that are walking obediently to the Lord. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you have been justified through faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1) Does your life reflect the justification God has worked in you and are you living in obedience to the Lord? When others remember you, do they think of you as a blessing or as disgusting?

One commentary grasps the last half of the proverb very well. He states “the memory of the wicked not only disappears quickly and surely, but also so as to excite sensations of abhorrence and disgust in other men (like ill smelling mould).” (A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Proverbs -Lange, Schaff, Zockler, and Aikem)

Remember Charles Dickens story the “Christmas Carol” before Scrooge changed his ways his name would have qualified as a rotting name. He was despised by others for his mercilessness and stinginess. Those who knew him were all treated without a hint of kindness. His name became associated with as stinginess, until he changed his ways.

I pray today that God would reveal any wicked ways which need to be removed from our lives and that the memorial of our lives before God would be a sweet smelling savor to Him. (Romans 12:1-2)

May 10, 2013

“He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: But a prating fool shall fall.” (Proverbs 10:10)

Wink – The idea of winking is used five times in the Bible. It seems to be used in two senses. The first is winking with evil intentions (Job 15:12; Psalm 35:19; Prov 6:13), and the second is God’s longsuffering towards evil before the dispensation of grace, for now He commands all to repent. (Acts 17:30)

In the context of Job winking is synonymous with rebellion against God. “Why doth thine heart carry thee away? And what do thy eyes wink at, That thou turnest thy spirit against God, And lettest such words go out of thy mouth?” (Job 15:12–13)

Sorrow – pain, nuisance, worry, wound (Logos Bible Word Study) This word is used five times in the Old Testament and is only found in the wisdom literature. One of its uses gives a blessed promise that God is able to heal those painful wounds. “He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

Fall – to be thrown headlong, to fall down, to perish – Gesenius’ Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament Scriptures

This Proverb is a warning against talking to much. “A talkative fool will himself eventually get into trouble (cf. the same line in Prov. 10:8b).” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Prov 10:8 tells how the wise receive commandments, but the prating fool will again fall. It is better to listen and obey than to be always talking, because then you miss out on the instruction you need to hear in order that you do not ruin yourself.

How are you today avoiding destructive behaviors, even seemingly harmless behaviors like talking to much? I pray today that we would limit how much we talk and use what we say for edifying others.

“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: But he that refraineth his lips is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19)

June 10, Monday, 2013

Proverbs 10:6 “Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.”

Blessings (H1293) – This Hebrew Word is related to the Hebrew verb meaning, “to bless.” It often refers to God’s favor on the righteous. It has the idea of bestowing good favor on another. –AMG’s Complete Word Study Dictionaries

Malachi 3:10 gives us an example of the blessing God pours out on the righteous when they give the first tenth (tithe) to God: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

Head (H7218) – beginning, chief, forefront, principal, ruler, first. This Hebrew word is used in a variety of applications and is also used metaphorically.

Wesley’s Commentary says that “covering the mouth of the wicked” may refer to the ancient practice of coving the mouth and face of a condemned criminals. The wicked’s own violence covers their mouths; therefore, they have no credibility. This same phrase “Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked” is repeated again in Proverbs 10:11. In this verse, unlike wicked, the just or righteous (H6662) individual’s mouth is a well of life. This fact makes me think of John 4:14 where Jesus says to the woman at the well, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Unlike the wicked, the just person has God’s favor poured out on him, and then in turn is a well of life as he has Christ dwelling in him.

Today, are you living the Life? In other words is to live Christ, and to die gain (Philippians 1:21)? May our lives today evidence that the Life lives inside of us and His blessing is upon us because of our obedience to Him. Do not allow known sin in your life to cover your mouth from being an effective witness for Christ. I pray that our heart’s desire would be to be totally yielded and obedient to the Lord’s will in every aspect of our lives. I pray that our love for the Lord would be genuine, evidenced by an obedience to His commandments, so we can be that well of life from which others can draw the satisfying water of Life (John 14:15, 21).

July 10, Wednesday, 2013

Proverbs 10:28 “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.”

Hope (H8431) – This Hebrew Word is used six times and translated as hope all six times. It means, “expectation.” This word is used in connection with the prosperity of the righteous and is also the catalyst from which the desire of life comes (Proverbs 10:28, 11:7, 13:12). (My notes from AMG’s Complete Word Study Dictionaries)

Gladness (H8057) – exceeding gladness, joy, mirth (laughter), pleasure, rejoicing. This word is used to describe the Jews religious celebrations extoling God and thanking Him for His blessings (Zechariah 8:19). The Lord gives gladness and takes it away as a result of judgment (Isaiah 16:10). This word also describes the celebration around defeating an enemy in war (Judges 16:23).

Expectation (H8615) – hope, live, thing that I long for. In Joshua 2:21, this Hebrew word refers to the scarlet line that Rahab the harlot of Jericho let the two spies down by after she hid them from the those sent by the king of Jericho to arrest them. This red rope hanging from her window was the sign to Israel to save Rahab and her family when they conquered Jericho. This scarlet rope was her expectation that was her salvation.

Perish (H6) – a primitive root meaning to wander away. Break destroy, not escape, fail, lose, have no way to flee.

The righteous have a bright hope and future, while the wicked will ultimately be judged. There will be no second chance once they have died.

Proverbs 10:27 reminds me of Luke 1 where the Angel Gabriel told Zacharias that his wife Elizabeth would have a son and that they would have joy and gladness because of him. This Godly couple had been without a child and were now old, yet God heard their prayer and answered it. Though God does not always answer our prayers the way we expect, we can have joy in Him because He always does what is best for us.

Now let’s ask ourselves, “Am I living my life in obedience to the Lord and as a result, not the goal, experiencing the joy and gladness it brings? Is there sin in my life that needs to be confessed, so I can have the joy of the Lord in my life?

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Psalm 100:2

August 10, 2013

“He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: But a prating fool shall fall.” (Proverbs 10:10)

Winketh – to wink (i.e. in maliciousness); 2. Purse (one’s lips) Pr 16:30. – A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Winking can be used in friendly terms, but in this case it is used in the text of being possibly flirtatious or to communicate secret information or give a signal to do something mischievous. The Pulpit Commentary states, winking “is a sign of craft, malice, and complicity with other wicked comrades.” – The Pulpit Commentary, 196.

Sorrow – a wound or pain – Concise Dictionary of the Word in the Greek and the Hebrew Bible

Prating – lip, language (Logos Bible Word Study) This word is also used to describe the brink of a river, or brim of a pot. The prating fool is one who foolishly uses his words. “The garrulous” or over talkative fool “is even more certain to bring ruin on himself and others than the crafty plotter.” – The Pulpit Commentary, 196.

The one shuts his eye to conceal his subtlety, the other opens his mouth to declare his folly. The one winketh, but sayeth nothing; the other says too much, but thinketh not what he says. The one giveth sorrow to the deceived in his malicious bounty; the other taketh a fall from the superfluous bounty of his own words.—Jermin.

How are you guarding using your body from doing foolish things whether it be your words or eyes?

September 10, Tuesday, 2013

Proverbs 10:19 “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”

Speech is a very common topic in Proverbs 10 comprising well over a third of the verses. Twelve of thirty-two verses have the words “lips”, “mouth”, “prating”, or “tongue” in them.

These words are used in relation to fools, the wicked, the froward, those having understanding, the wise, the just, and the righteous.

Negative aspects of speech in Proverbs 10

1. Violence covers the mouth of the wicked (10:6, 11)

2. A prating (talking) fool will fall (be beaten)(10:8, 10)

3. Mouth of fools is near destruction (10:14)

4. Fools hide hatred with lying lips (10:18)

5. Fools slander others (10:18)

6. The froward (perverse, rebellious) tongue will be destroyed (10:31)

7. The mouth of the wicked speaks frowardness (10:32)

Positive aspects of speech in Proverbs 10

1. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life (10:11)

2. Wisdom is inherent in the speech of a person that has understanding (10:13)

3. The wise restrains his speech (10:19)

4. Tongue of the wise is as choice silver (10:20)

5. The lips of the righteous feed many (10:21)

6. Mouth of the just brings forth wisdom(10:31)

7. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable (10:32)

How would God and others describe your speech? Is your speech positive or negative according to Proverbs 10?

In light of Proverbs 10:19, who do you allow to control your tongue, yourself or the Holy Spirit? We cannot tame our tongues on our own, but through God’s grace we can (James 3:8). Let’s be careful to use our tongues to build up others rather than tear them down. Our words are powerful. As Proverbs 18:21 says, death and life are in the power of the tongue. How will you use this power today for the Lord’s glory (Rev. 4:11)?

October 10, Thursday, 2013

Proverbs 10:27 “The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.”

The idea, “prolongeth days” means “to add or increase days.”

Fear (H3374) – moral reverence. AMG’s Complete Word Study Dictionaries gives some key insights on this word as it relates to the fear of the LORD. The fear of the LORD

1. Acknowledges God’s good intentions (Exodus 20:20)

2. Is produced by God’s Word (Psalm 119:38, Prov. 2:5)

3. Is the starting point of wisdom and knowledge (Prov. 1:7, 9:10)

4. Is equated as being wisdom (Job 28:28, Prov. 15:33)

5. Keeps people from sinning (Gen. 20:11, Neh. 5:9)

6. Gives strong confidence (Prov. 14:26)

7. When coupled with humility results in riches, honor, and life (Prov 22:4)